Improvement works at Cork's English Market to begin this year

Improvement works are to commence at the English Market site this year, as an investigation into the roof of the market is undertaken.

In response to a question at last night’s council meeting by Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy, Niall Ó Donnabháin, the authority’s director of planning and integrated development, said a recent review identified the need for a variety of works at the popular site.

“As a consequence of structural changes to directorates within Cork City Council in December, 2024, responsibility for the management of the English Market transferred to the planning and integrated development directorate.

“In January, 2025, the property department was tasked with a review of the overall property, which includes the main roof covering both the Grand Parade and Princes St elements of the premises.

“This review identified the categorisation of works required to the external fabric of the market, and to improve trader welfare facilities and customer experience within the market itself.

“The review also identified the need to undertake a wider drainage infrastructure review of the English Market, which will commence later in 2025.”

Mr Ó Donnabháin said the improvement works will commence with the facade, roof, and interior of Hilser’s (the former jewellers adjacent to the market’s Grand Parade entrance) in the second quarter of this year.

“In tandem with those works, a more thorough investigation of the main roof of the English Market will be undertaken, which will inform the best option for the upgrade and improvement of the roof, taking into consideration time, cost, and disturbance.

“Once a preferred option is determined, the subsequent works will be procured subject to the necessary funding being in place.”

Speaking to The Echo, Mr McCarthy said the update on the works was very welcome.

“The English Market is essential in the story of Cork’s food ecosystem. The market has a rich and storied past dating back to 1788.

“The current suite of traders are doing a fantastic job in surviving the last few tough years, from lockdown to rising food costs.

“Investment in the market is very much warranted in its infrastructure such as the roof and the entrance facades,” he said. “I would ask though that the works schedule be speeded up. The works needed have been proposed for a number of years now.”